Biking all year round largely influenced my family's decision to move to southern Utah and we were not disappointed. What an extraordinary feeling to jump on my bike and in minutes be riding on the slick rock of Church Rocks and the fast single track of Prospector trail. Our family also enjoys riding on the miles of paved pathways around the city. The only thing missing was a bike shop... until now.
Ian and Crystal Shockley must have felt similarly when they sold their shop in northern Utah to team up with Robbie Staheli and open Bike Fix in Washington. This new store brought with it community shop rides and the Southern Utah Junior Cycling Club. They also have plans to start an inexpensive racing series and build more trails, so I am excited to welcome Bike Fix.
Hooray for Crystal Shockley who is participating in the Ironman this year. I plan to be on Main Street in Washington with the rest of our community enjoying a free pancake breakfast May 5th and ringing cowbells for Crystal and other Ironman racers.
Office of City Manager Blog
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Dog Town Half-Marathon - Shannon Hinman, Guest Blogger
Note: We thought it might be fun to invite members of our community to share their own feelings and insights into life in Washington City. So over the next few months you will occasionally see a posting by members of our community.
The first submittable is from Shannon Hinman. Shannon grew up in Salt Lake City and her and her husband Jack have lived here for the past five years. Their family consists of two young and very active children. Shannon and her family stays actively involved in our city and always provides us with wonderful feedback and suggestions.
Thanks Shannon for your posting.
Roger Carter
City Manager
Within a few miles of the start, the race turned onto the Cottonwood Wash Trail in a beautiful canyon. This was definitely my favorite miles of the half marathon. As the trail slopped downhill I was distracted by my surroundings and gained speed. An aid station came into view, volunteers eagerly held out cups to help with hydration and fuel needs.
I crossed the finish line and received my dog tag finisher's metal. I cannot decide if I was more excited to have a new personal best time or that I beat my husband and his two best friends. The spread of food for
participants was wonderful and I quickly shoved handfuls of grapes into my mouth. I am eager to run this race again next year and I am not letting the name of the Hell Hole 5K scare me away from running this May during Cotton Days.
-Shannon Hinman-
The first submittable is from Shannon Hinman. Shannon grew up in Salt Lake City and her and her husband Jack have lived here for the past five years. Their family consists of two young and very active children. Shannon and her family stays actively involved in our city and always provides us with wonderful feedback and suggestions.
Thanks Shannon for your posting.
Roger Carter
City Manager
Dog Town Half-Marathon
It was a picturesque day for the Dogtown Half Marathon. I walked out my front door and to the start line in Coral Canyon with my husband, a friend from Memphis, Tennessee, and another friend from Kaysville, Utah. I donned a long sleeve shirt from 1Law, one of the race sponsors that I received at
the Expo the day before. The sun was shining and I was happy I wore my new red "Get Bit" shorts found in each race packet. I was about run with a group of 400 of my new best friends.
It was a picturesque day for the Dogtown Half Marathon. I walked out my front door and to the start line in Coral Canyon with my husband, a friend from Memphis, Tennessee, and another friend from Kaysville, Utah. I donned a long sleeve shirt from 1Law, one of the race sponsors that I received at
the Expo the day before. The sun was shining and I was happy I wore my new red "Get Bit" shorts found in each race packet. I was about run with a group of 400 of my new best friends.
Within a few miles of the start, the race turned onto the Cottonwood Wash Trail in a beautiful canyon. This was definitely my favorite miles of the half marathon. As the trail slopped downhill I was distracted by my surroundings and gained speed. An aid station came into view, volunteers eagerly held out cups to help with hydration and fuel needs.
I crossed the finish line and received my dog tag finisher's metal. I cannot decide if I was more excited to have a new personal best time or that I beat my husband and his two best friends. The spread of food for
participants was wonderful and I quickly shoved handfuls of grapes into my mouth. I am eager to run this race again next year and I am not letting the name of the Hell Hole 5K scare me away from running this May during Cotton Days.
-Shannon Hinman-
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Business Visits
One of the goals of my office this year was to make it a point to stop and visit with our local businesses. Starting last month Mayor Ken Neilson and I have visited several of these establishments. I wanted to share with you what an enjoyable experience this has been and a little about these businesses.
We started with one of the new start-ups in our community, "Duke's Deli." This business was started by Derek "Duke" Nelson and what a great example he is of a young entrepreneur. His sandwiches are delicious, they have a personal touch, and the place is very successful. I hope you will go over and try "The Duke" for lunch and welcome their establishment to our community.
We have met with one of the real powerhouses in our city, Kohl's. This well-recognized retail store attracts shoppers from the whole southwest Utah region. They are the anchor store for the Cotton Mill II shopping center. A great deal of the amenities we enjoy in this community from our parks, to our community center, to our roads, all of this could not be possible without the sales tax we receive from these large, chain stores.
Another large anchor for us is Home Depot. Home Depot and Walmart were the first large big-box stores that came to Washington. Home Depot has been a great partner in both the good and bad times here in Washington. We will forever appreciate the assistance Home Depot gave to this city during our flood times; when they opened their doors and provided tools and other equipment we needed and helped organize citizens in sand-bagging operations.
Finally, we visited with Lane and Helen at St. Helen's restaurant. This couple are true pioneers in our community. It was enjoyable talking to them and having them reminisce about their history here in Washington, the challenges and rewards. They have seen it all, from trying to familiarize the community to a new product, to road closures and tough economies. Through it all however they have offered a unique dining experience and been an important part of our community family. For you "old timers" I am not telling you anything you don't already know and for you "new comers" I hope you will take the opportunity to get to know Lane and Helen and enjoy the wonderful food they provide.
Each of these individuals and establishments are representative of all of the hard working and successful businesses that call Washington home. I appreciate what they do for our city and look forward to meeting many more of you in the upcoming months.
We started with one of the new start-ups in our community, "Duke's Deli." This business was started by Derek "Duke" Nelson and what a great example he is of a young entrepreneur. His sandwiches are delicious, they have a personal touch, and the place is very successful. I hope you will go over and try "The Duke" for lunch and welcome their establishment to our community.
We have met with one of the real powerhouses in our city, Kohl's. This well-recognized retail store attracts shoppers from the whole southwest Utah region. They are the anchor store for the Cotton Mill II shopping center. A great deal of the amenities we enjoy in this community from our parks, to our community center, to our roads, all of this could not be possible without the sales tax we receive from these large, chain stores.
Another large anchor for us is Home Depot. Home Depot and Walmart were the first large big-box stores that came to Washington. Home Depot has been a great partner in both the good and bad times here in Washington. We will forever appreciate the assistance Home Depot gave to this city during our flood times; when they opened their doors and provided tools and other equipment we needed and helped organize citizens in sand-bagging operations.
Finally, we visited with Lane and Helen at St. Helen's restaurant. This couple are true pioneers in our community. It was enjoyable talking to them and having them reminisce about their history here in Washington, the challenges and rewards. They have seen it all, from trying to familiarize the community to a new product, to road closures and tough economies. Through it all however they have offered a unique dining experience and been an important part of our community family. For you "old timers" I am not telling you anything you don't already know and for you "new comers" I hope you will take the opportunity to get to know Lane and Helen and enjoy the wonderful food they provide.
Each of these individuals and establishments are representative of all of the hard working and successful businesses that call Washington home. I appreciate what they do for our city and look forward to meeting many more of you in the upcoming months.
Roger Carter
City Manager
City Manager
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Washington City Youth Council
The Washington City Youth Council is in its second year of existence and has already become an example throughout the state. It has been the desire of our City Council to create a Youth Council for some time and with great leadership of some of community "go-getters" we were able to do that, this last year. Under the guidance of Volunteer Advisor: Carmen Snow and Assistant Advisor: Wendi Bulkley and the oversight of Councilmen Hudson and Turek, our council has attracted some wonderful young leaders, provided a great curriculum, and given them many opportunities to serve and engage within our community. Our Youth Council draws from Pineview, Desert Hills, and Millcreek High Schools. These young people are bright, ambitious and eager to make a difference in their community and world.
During their one-year term on the council they learn about positions in city and state government, Roberts Rules of Order, and how to effectively engage in community dialogue and process. They then put this all to good use by getting involved in our city by assisting with Cotton Days and other service projects. They have sold our famous "shadow dogs" and they visit our council meetings often. As you watch these young people you are impressed with their demeanor, their knowledge and how they represent our great city. Last year in a conference of at Utah State the Washington City Youth Council took second place as the Best Youth Council in the state of Utah; quite an achievement for the first year.
We are proud of the youth of this community. This Youth Council is indicative of the responsible, caring, young citizens we have here. We hope many of our young people will consider serving on this council. The Youth council is taking applications for next year, until February 29.
Thanks Youth Council for all of your great work! We know our future is in good hands.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Telegraph Towers
I have been asked recently what is the status of the unfinished building on Telegraph Street (across from Veterans Park). This building was intended to provide retail and office space in our downtown area. It was approved, permitted and began construction in 2010.
In approximately Fall of 2010 construction activities ceased on the property. It was communicated to the city that the reason construction had halted was due to a failure in securing the needed funds for its completion. There have been a lot of parties with various legal interests and legal positions on this project and therefore it has become a very complicated situation which is the subject of a multi-party lawsuit. And the courts will ultimately have to decide responsibility. In the meantime, the owner continued to hold an active building permit and was hopeful that all of the financial issues would be resolved. In Spring of 2011, Washington City requested that the owner provide bracing to the existing and unfinished walls, assuming that construction would begin within a reasonable amount of time. In August 2011, the owner informed the city council and staff that it would not be renewing its building permit and that the owner did not anticipate the building getting completed in the near future. Washington City then inspected the facility and believed that the wall supports/bracing, although appropriate during a construction period, would be inadequate on a permanent basis. The building was declared "unsafe" by the City. The owner appealed this decision to the local Board of Adjustments, which heard its appeal in November 2011. The Board of Adjustments ruled in favor of the city, declaring the building "unsafe" in its current state. Among other things, the owner was ordered to either complete the building, bring the walls down to six feet, or to provide sufficient support/bracing to ensure safety and permanence. The owner was also required to fence the property and provide other on-site safety measures. The owner has turned in a set of plans showing enhanced building supports/bracing and those plans are currently under review.
The primary role of the city is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. We feel that this building, in its current state, presents a potential danger to our community. We will continue to work with the owner and others to ensure that all safety measures are employed and dangers mitigated. We continue to hope for an acceptable resolution for all parties.
Roger Carter
City Manager
In approximately Fall of 2010 construction activities ceased on the property. It was communicated to the city that the reason construction had halted was due to a failure in securing the needed funds for its completion. There have been a lot of parties with various legal interests and legal positions on this project and therefore it has become a very complicated situation which is the subject of a multi-party lawsuit. And the courts will ultimately have to decide responsibility. In the meantime, the owner continued to hold an active building permit and was hopeful that all of the financial issues would be resolved. In Spring of 2011, Washington City requested that the owner provide bracing to the existing and unfinished walls, assuming that construction would begin within a reasonable amount of time. In August 2011, the owner informed the city council and staff that it would not be renewing its building permit and that the owner did not anticipate the building getting completed in the near future. Washington City then inspected the facility and believed that the wall supports/bracing, although appropriate during a construction period, would be inadequate on a permanent basis. The building was declared "unsafe" by the City. The owner appealed this decision to the local Board of Adjustments, which heard its appeal in November 2011. The Board of Adjustments ruled in favor of the city, declaring the building "unsafe" in its current state. Among other things, the owner was ordered to either complete the building, bring the walls down to six feet, or to provide sufficient support/bracing to ensure safety and permanence. The owner was also required to fence the property and provide other on-site safety measures. The owner has turned in a set of plans showing enhanced building supports/bracing and those plans are currently under review.
The primary role of the city is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. We feel that this building, in its current state, presents a potential danger to our community. We will continue to work with the owner and others to ensure that all safety measures are employed and dangers mitigated. We continue to hope for an acceptable resolution for all parties.
City Manager
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Council Members
The start of the new year will bring some changes to the Washington City Council. It is true statement that "there is nothing as constant as change." Beginning in January we say good-bye to Council members Roger Bundy and Mike Heaton. The combined experience of these two council members expand several decades. Both Councilmen Bundy and Heaton have served on numerous city councils as well as planning commissions. Their experience and wisdom has been extremely valuable as they have lead Washington City through the slow years of little growth and no money, to the boom years of rapid growth and strong economic development, to these final years of a challenged growth and a deeply painful recession. It can be certainly said of them, that-they have seen it all. Unless one sits and watches the events unfold, how they affect our city, and the daily leadership provided by a good mayor and council; they can never appreciate the skill and value of these individuals.
I have been very fortunate to work with not only these fine council members but many others who have come and gone. The work that each of these men and women have performed will have an impact upon our community and the lives of our citizens for years to come. I have been privileged to have always worked with completely unselfish individuals. The job of a city councilman is a difficult one. You get complained about often, yelled at occasionally and rarely please everyone at the same time. You spend a lot of time in meetings, talking with citizens, away from your families and for very little compensation; other than to say you served your community. We may not always agree with their decisions but we can't question their love and commitment to this community. It has been said that "opinion is left to those who stand on the sidelines." The men and women who have served on our councils and commissions are individuals who have chosen to leave the sidelines and enter the game, no matter how banged up they might get. It is they who have made the history of Washington City so rich, who have formulated our vision, and lead us into a bright and prosperous future. I appreciate their service.
So, like we have done so many times before, we say good-bye to good friends of this community; grateful that they will continue their role as citizens and say hello to new individuals who will continue to define and lead us. Through it all Washington City will continue to grow and prosper and create a community that "feels like home."
I have been very fortunate to work with not only these fine council members but many others who have come and gone. The work that each of these men and women have performed will have an impact upon our community and the lives of our citizens for years to come. I have been privileged to have always worked with completely unselfish individuals. The job of a city councilman is a difficult one. You get complained about often, yelled at occasionally and rarely please everyone at the same time. You spend a lot of time in meetings, talking with citizens, away from your families and for very little compensation; other than to say you served your community. We may not always agree with their decisions but we can't question their love and commitment to this community. It has been said that "opinion is left to those who stand on the sidelines." The men and women who have served on our councils and commissions are individuals who have chosen to leave the sidelines and enter the game, no matter how banged up they might get. It is they who have made the history of Washington City so rich, who have formulated our vision, and lead us into a bright and prosperous future. I appreciate their service.
So, like we have done so many times before, we say good-bye to good friends of this community; grateful that they will continue their role as citizens and say hello to new individuals who will continue to define and lead us. Through it all Washington City will continue to grow and prosper and create a community that "feels like home."
Roger Carter
City Manager
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sullivan Virgin River Soccer Park
How do we build these parks? The seven parks and fisheries that have been opened up in the last five years have been paid from the new growth that has occurred in the city. It might not surprise you to know that Washington City is adding just under 1,000 residents per year to our community (even in spite of the downturn in the economy). These residents when they build their home pay an impact fee. This fee is used exclusively to provide the facilities that these new residents will use; such as parks, trails, water lines, new streets, etc. Without impact fees existing facilities would be inadequate for our population or the current residents would need to pay for these new facilities in their taxes. Washington City has been able to add all of these facilities without increasing the tax load on our residents.
Why do we build these parks? Washington City has a large number of young families as citizens. Our senior population is more active and we live in a climate where the outdoors can be enjoyed year-around. Parks and trails add to the quality for life of all of our citizens. We continually find that individuals and families are making decisions on where to live based upon the quality of life of an area. We believe this is one of the reasons we have shown greater growth in Washington City than in our surrounding communities; we truly are becoming the city of choice in our area. For me however the reason we build these parks was in a experience I had the other day. As I was driving down 300 East I passed a young boy about 9 or 10. He was riding his bike with a fishing pole and tackle box strapped to the back. He was smiles from ear-to-ear as he prepared for his days adventure of fishing at the newly built fishing pond. If you ever question "why" we build these facilities, drive over to any of our parks and watch our families celebrating birthdays, walking hand-in-hand with their kids around the trail or listening to the squeals and shouts of the soccer game going on, and you will know the answer.
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